Clip terminal and applicator tool combination

ABSTRACT

The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a clip terminal and applicator tool combination which allows rapid application of a plurality of insulated wires to clip terminals formed on terminal strips used for electrical connection to removable printed circuit boards or the like. The clip terminal has a notch formed at the upper end thereof and an aperture spaced below the notch, the notch and aperture are communicated with one another by means of a slot formed therebetween. The notch includes relatively sharp corner edges immediately preceding the slot. When an insulated conductor is laid over the clip terminal in registry with the notch, an applicator tool is used smartly to urge the insulated wire through the slot, thereby causing the sharp corner edges to strip the insulation from the conductor and bare the wire. The bare portion of the conductor makes electrical contact with the clip terminal. Upon further pressure applied to the applicator tool a cutting device is actuated and cuts the end portion of the conductor. When clip terminals are positioned in transverse pairs the cutting tool separates a single conductor to allow individual paired connections to be made simultaneously.

United States Patent 1191 Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Olson, Trexler, Wolters, Bushnell & Posse, Ltd.

Sedlacek Nov. 19, 1974 CLIP TERMINAL AND APPLICATOR TOOL [57] ABSTRACT COMBINATION The embodlment of the mventton disclosed herein 1s [75] Inventor: sedlacek chlcago directed to a clip terminal and applicator tool combi- [73] Assignee: Reliable Electric Company, Franklin nation which allows raPld aRplicatlon of a p l of P k []1 insulated wires to clip termmals formed on terminal strips used for electrical connection to removable [22] Flled: June 1973 printed circuit boards or the like. The clip terminal [21] Appl. No.; 367,410 has a notch formed at the upper end thereof and an aperture spaced below the notch, the notch and aperture are communicated with one another by means of a s a I11 l tively Sharp comer edges immediately preceding the [578] Field of Search 339/95 99 slot. When an insulated conductor is laid over the clip terminal in registry with the notch, an applicator tool [56] References C'ted is used smartly to urge the insulated wire through the UNITED STATES PATENTS slot, thereby causing the sharp corner edges to strip 2,651,768 9/1953 Oortgivsen 339/278 the insulation from the conductor and bare the wire 3,112,147 11/1963 Pferd et al 339/97 P The bare portion of the conductor makes electrical 2 7/1970 a rt H 339/97 P contact with the clip terminal. Upon further pressure 3,61 Krone 61 al. .1 R to the applicator tool a cutting device is actu 3,617,983 l1/197l Patton 339/98 ated and cuts the end portion of the conductor. When clip terminals are positioned in transverse pairs the cutting tool separates a single conductor to allow individual paired connections to be made simultaneously.

13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to improvements in structures and apparatus used primarily in the field of electronics, and more particularly to clip terminal connecting devices and applicator tools used in conjunction therewith, and their combination to provide substantial useful improvements over existing clip terminal devices and applicator tools now commonly used in the electronic field. However, it will be understood that while this invention is directed particularly to devices used for connecting insulated conductors to clip terminals, it will be understood that the specific structure disclosed herein may be used in other allied fields.

Heretofore, 'clip terminals and applicator tools used in the electronic field, have been used extensively in the field of connecting printed circuit boards to telephone line connectors. The clip terminal used in the combination of this invention is adapted to engage a solid conductor insulated wire to make electrical contact with the conductor portion thereof without necessitating stripping of the insulation about the conductor. The clip terminal is a flat piece of metal having two integrally formed resilient arms which provide a conductor receiving slot. The insulated wire is forced into the slot which is of a width considerably less than the diameter of the conductor. The process of inserting the conductor into the slot results in a removal of the insulation so that electrical contact is obtained between the bared portion of the conductor and the clip terminal.

clip terminals effectively, to form two separate conductive leads extending from separate terminals during a single simultaneous operation.

The general configuration of this type of clip terminal a is set forth in one of my earlier US. Pat. No. 3,636,500, issued Jan. 18, l972 and assigned to the same assignee of record. The basic features for removing insulation from the conductor and making electrical contact with the clip terminal as set forth in my earlier mentioned patent are also utilized in conjunction with the combination of this invention.

Terminal devices of the type set forth above are substantial improvements because they allow relatively quick positive connection of conductors to the clip terminal without necessitating long periods of tedious man hours of work. In some instances an applicator tool is preferred to apply uniform force on the conductor to urge it through the notch, over the sharp corners and down through the slot formed in the clip terminal. While applicator tools of this type are well known in the art generally they are designed to operate on a single clip terminal at a time. Furthermore, should excess wire be extending from one end of the clip terminal separate cutting means generally are required to trim this extra wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the distinct disadvantages of clip terminal and applicator tool combinations as set forth above so as to Many other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional perspective view of a portion of an insulated support terminal strip wherein a plurality of clip terminals are secured and to which a single conductive wire is secured to adjacent pairs of the terminals by the use of a push type applicator tool;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing only the clip terminal and illustrating the application thereto of an insu- Iated conductor;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded, partially sectional view of the clip terminal configuration with its associated terminal strip and further illustrates the applicator tool being positioned in alignment with adjacent pairs of terminals for simultaneous application thereto of a single insulated conductor;

FIG. 4 illustrates the construction of FIG. 3 with the applicator tool in a first position whereat the single conductive wires are inserted into a pair of adjacent transversely disposed clip terminals;

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of FIG. 3 but with the applicator tool shown in a further position to cause cutting means associated therwith to sever the relatively short length of conductive wire from between the clip terminals to prevent inadvertent electrical connnection thereof;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the terminal strip and adjacent pairs of-clip terminals with the single conductive wire having a short segment thereof severed;

FIG. 7 illustrates the base configuration of the applicator tool to receive clip terminals and insulated wires therein prior to pushing the conductive wire onto clip terminals and severing the same;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary partially, sectional view of a clip terminal and pusher means associated with the applicator tool further illustrating the operation and cooperation between these components; and

FIG. 9 illustrates the insulated conductor in position electrically connected to its associated clip terminal after the applicator tool is removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMEN Referring now to FIG. 1 there is seen a terminal strip construction designated generally by reference numeral l0, and which forms part of the combination of this invention. The terminal strip 10 has a plurality of spaced apart clip terminals 11 extending through a common wall of the terminal strip so as to allow electrical connection thereto during a wire assembling operation. In the illustrated embodiment all of the clip terminals associated with the terminal strip extend through openings 12 formed in substantially parallel rows along the common wall of the terminal strip. The terminal strip illustrated herein is of the type commonly used for connection to printed circuit component boards, electrical contact being made to deposited ribbon or flat conductors formed on the printed circuit board. To accomplish this interconnection between the terminal strip and a desired printed circuit board, an elongated receptacle 13 is formed along a front portion of the terminal strip, opposite the common wall thereof, and receives the terminating edge 14 of a printed circuit board 16 in a well known manner. This plug-in type circuit board connection, while havin'g'substantial advantages in the telephone industry, can be used in any type of electronic equipment, such as test equipment, computer equipment, and the like. Also, any desired circuit configuration can be" formed on the printed circuit board 16, such as, for example, having printed circuit conductive paths formed on one or both sides of the printed circuit board.

To facilitate forming neat wire harnesses extending from the terminal strip 10 a plurality of fanning strip elements 17 are formed as an integral molded part of the terminal strip, there being a pair of diametrically opposed fanning strip elements located outwardly of each corresponding pair of clip terminals 11. Therefore, a wire conductor secured to the clip terminal 11 will be held firmly in position by the associated fanning strip 17. While an integral molded fanning strip element is here illustrated it will be understood that a separate fanning strip, for example, one having apertures formed therein, can be used and secured to the terminal strip by screws, adhesives, or the like.

For a better understanding of the clip terminal associated with the combination of this invention, reference is now made particularly to FIG. 2 which illustrates the details of the construction of the clip terminal 11. Here a flat body portion 18, made of a formable spring-like conductive material, provides two resilient arm members 19 and 20, preferably oriented as shown in FIG. 1 when assembled to the terminal strip 10. The resilient arms 19 and 20 flex substantially transversely outwardly as a result of increased force when an insulated wire conductor has a portion thereof inserted into a notch 21 and forced downwardly through an associated slot 22. The slot 22 includes substantially parallel edges which communicate with the lower end of the notch 21 and define at their intersection, or which may be considered the bottom portion of the notch 21, sharp corner edges 21a and 21b oriented substantially parallel to the axis of an insulated wire to be inserted into the slot. These sharp corner edges cause the insulated covering of the conductor to be cut through so as to bare the conductive surface of the wire and make electrical contact between the conductor and the clip terminal.

During assembly of the clip terminals 11 into the terminal strip 10 tangs 24a and 24b located on diametrically opposed edgesof the clip terminal are provided to insure that the clip terminals will not pull out of the farming strip when subjected to-normal longitudinal stresses and strains during insertion and removal of the associated printed circuit board 16. Extending from the contact tips 29 and 30 are formed thereon. Preferably the contact tips 29 and 30 are deposited gold or silver material to provide long wear and good electrical contact. The retainer tabs 31 and 32 cooperate with recesses 33 and 34, seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, of the terminal strip 10 to maintain the clip terminals within their as-- signed positions. This may be accomplished by providing an elongated slot adjacent the recesses 33 and 34 through which the resilient tabs 31 and 32 extend into the recesses. Linear forces, either by inserting or removing the printed circuit board, will be restricted by the material on each side of the elongated slot.

As seen in phantom lines, both in FIGS. 1 and 2, an insualted conductor 35 is positioned within the notch 21 of a pair of transversely disposed but aligned clip terminals 11. While the clip terminals are shown arranged in pairs, it will be understood that the clip terminals, at least with regard to multiple connection in accordance with this invention, may be positioned in a plurality of pairs along the common axes of insulated wire conductors. The insulated wire 35 is driven from the notch portion 21 into the enlarged diameter wire receiving portion 23, FIG. 2, by means of an applicator tool positioned over the clip terminals 11 when a wire is in place and operated by pushing downwardly, as seen in FIG. 1. This single operation strips the insulation off the conductor and electrically and mechanically makes connection to the clip terminal. Also in accordance with the combination of this invention the conductor 35 can be twice as long as needed to extend from the terminal strip to the desired place or location. By so providing a single wire of twice the desired length, the wire can be severed between spaced apart clip terminals to provide separate connection to each of the clip terminals. This severing of the insulating wire is accomplished by the tool 40 by further application of pressure to the tool after pushing the wire from the notch into the slot 22.

For a better understanding of the cooperation of the applicator tool 40 and the clip terminals 11 associated with the terminal strip 10, reference is now made to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 which show the sequence of operation of applying insulated conductors to the clip terminals when using the applicator tool illustrated herein. In FIG. 4 the applicator tool 40 is placed over the pair of diametrically opposed clip terminals 11 so that terminal receiving recesses 41 and 42 are placed in substantial registry with a pair of terminals 11. The applicator tool 40 is pushed downwardly as shown in FIG. 4, so as to cause the clip terminals 11 to enter the terminal receiving recesses 41 and 42. The applicator tool 40 has outboard wall portions 43 and 44 to fit on the outside of each of the clip terminals and inboard wall portions 46 and 47 to fit on the inboard side of the clip terminals 11. These wall portions 43, 44, 46, and 47 are notched, as indicated by reference numeral 48 so as to receive within these notches a portion of the insulated conductor 35. An inner web wall 49 passes between the outboard and inboard wall sections 43 and 46 and has an extend substantially equal to the extent of the material forming the wall immediately above the notches 48. This provides substantial contact along the axis of the conductor to urge the conductor into the clip terminal when the applicator tool is pushed downwardly through the slot 22, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably the applicator tool has spring means 50 associated therewith so as to require additional force once the conductor 35 is run home to cause cutting means 51 to travel downwardly relative to the pusher web portions 49 to cut a small length 52 from the conductor 35 between the spaced apart clip terminals 11. This will then provide a gap 53, as seen in FIG. 6, when the applicator tool is removed substantially completely electrically isolating the now separated conductors.

In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator tool 40 includes a lower body portion 60 having the outer and inner wall sections and the pusher sections as described above and an upper handle section 61 associated with the lower section 60 and movable relative thereto under additional force to compress the biasing spring 50. The force required to compress the biasing spring 50 should be somewhat greater than the force required to push the insulated conductors through the slot 22. Therefore, once the insulated conductor is resting upon the common wall between the clip terminals 11 further force applied to the applicator tool will urge the cutting means 51 downward to sever the insulated conductor. While the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of knife edges 51a and 51b to remove the short length 52 and provide the gap 53 it will be understood that a single cutting knife may be incorporated, in which case other means may be utilized to insure that inadvertent subsequent contact betwen the now separated conductors is maintained.

The applicator tool 40 also forces the insulated conductor 35 into the associated fanning strip member 17. FIG. 8 illustrates the pusher web portions 19 engaging the insulated conductor for urging the same through the slot 22 as mentioned above. This is further illustrated in more detail in FIG. 8 which shows the initial condition of the insulated conductor prior to urging it through the slot 22; Pushing the conductor home and severing the same will provide a terminal connection substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. To insure proper pushing action of the web wall portion 49 against the insulated conductor the relative thickness of the web portion 49, as seen in FIG. 8, preferably is somewhere in the order of about 75 percent of the diameter of the conductor within the insulated wire. This then allows the web portion 49 to follow the conductor through the slot when the slot is urged open, so that positive action of forcing the conductor through the slot is obtained.

While a single specific embodiment of the illustrated invention has been set forth herein with substantial particularity, it will be understood that variations and modifications of this invention may be incorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. The combination ofa clip terminal of the type having a flat body portion providing two resilient arms separated by a notch at the upper end thereof and by a slot having substantially parallel edges and communicating with the lower end of said notch, the bottom portion of said notch having formed therein sharp corner edges oriented substantially parallel to the axis of an insulated wire to be inserted into the slot, so that movement of the insulated wire into the slot will cause said sharp corner edges to cut through the insulation and bare the surface of the conductor to make electrical contact between the clip terminal and the conductor within the insulated wire, and applicator tool means having first pusher means extending from one end thereof and en- 6 gaging the insulated wire for pushing-the wire into said slot, said applicator tool means further including cutter means spaced from said pusher means to cut the insulated wire at a predetermined distance beyond said clip terminal after said insulated wire is inserted into said clip terminal, said cutting means being movable relative to said pusher means and movable in the same direction as said pusher means to cut-the insulated wire after the pusher means has completely inserted the wire into said slot.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are provided two adjacent clip terminals secured to an insulated support terminal strip, said notch and said slot of each of said two clip terminals being substantially in alignment with one another to receive a single length of straight insulated wire therein.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said applicator tool means includes a second pusher means displaced from said first pusher means in a direction substantially along the axis of a straight length of insulated wire to be inserted into the two adjacent clipterminals, said cutter means being located intermediate said first and second pusher means to cut through the insulated wire and separate the same to form a separate wire connection for each of said two adjacent clip terminals.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cutter means includes a pair of spaced apart knife members movable toward said insulated support terminal strip to cut through the insulated wire and remove a relatively small length of the insulated wire from between said two clip terminals to insure that subsequent electrical connection between the severed conductor wire portions is prevented.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein said two clip terminals are secured to said insulated support terminal strip with said resilient arms thereof extending outwardly from a common wall of said terminal strip to provide access to said notches and said slots of a single length of conductive wire, and wherein said spaced apart knife members are arranged to cooperate with said common wall of said terminal strip to sever the insulated wire when the cutter means is operated at the end of travel of said first and second pusher means.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein a plurality of clip terminals are secured to said insulated support terminal strip and arranged to form at least two parallel rows of clip terminals, the clip terminals of one row being in substantially transverse alignment with the clip terminal of the other row to allow a single length of insulated wire to be inserted into corresponding paired terminals prior to severing the insulated wire between such paired terminals.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, further including spring means coupled to said cutting means for providing a resistance to said cutting means to insure that said pushers insert the insulated wire completely into said slot prior to actuation of said cutter means.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said clip terminals each have a bent resilient contact end portion opposite the end having the notch and slot formed therein, said bent resilient contact end portion cooperating with said insulated support terminal to form means for connection to a contact strip formed along the terminating edge of a printed circuit board.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said clip terminals has said bent resilient contact end portion thereof formed of physically spaced apart but electrically common contact portions.

' is moved from the notch into the slot to make electrical contact between the clip terminal and the conductor, and applicator tool means having pusher means extending from one end thereof and engaging the insulated conductor for pushing the wire into said slot, said applicator tool means further including cutter means spaced from said pusher means to cut the insulated conductor at a predetermined distance beyond said clip terminal after said insulated conductor is inserted into said clip terminal, said cutting means being movable relative to said pusher means and movable in the same direction as said pusher means to cut the insulated conductor after the pusher means has completely inserted the conductor into said slot.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein there are two adjacent clip terminals secured to an insulated support, said notch and said slot of each of said 8 7. two clip terminals being substantially in alignment with one another to receive a length of conductor, and said cutter means being located to cut through the insulated wire between the terminals to form a separate connection for each terminal.

12. The combination of adjacent clip terminals each of the type with a pair of resilient arms separated by a space for receiving an insulated conductor, and means associated with each pair of arms for stripping the insuiation from an insulated conductor to make electrical contact between the terminal and the conductor as the insulated conductor is moved through said space and into engagement with said means, the two clips being spaced apart and secured to an insulated support and with the respective arms of the clips being aligned to receive a length of insulated conductor in said spaces, and an applicator tool having pusher means at one end engaging the insulated conductor for pushing the insulated conductor into engagement with the insulation stripping means, said tool also having cutter means movable relative to said pusher means to sever the insulated wire between the clip terminals to form a separate wire connection for each terminal.

13. The combination according to claim 12 in which said cutter means has spaced knife members to remove a length of insulated wire from between said terminals. s= l 

1. The combination of a clip terminal of the type having a flat body portion providing two resilient arms separated by a notch at the upper end thereof and by a slot having substantially parallel edges and communicating with the lower end of said notch, the bottom portion of said notch having formed therein sharp corner edges oriented substantially parallel to the axis of an insulated wire to be inserted into the slot, so that movement of the insulated wire into the slot will cause said sharp corner edges to cut through the insulation and bare the surface of the conductor to make electrical contact between the clip terminal and the conductor within the insulated wire, and applicator tool means having first pusher means extending from one end thereof and engaging the insulated wire for pushing the wire into said slot, said applicator tool means further including cutter means spaced from said pusher means to cut the insulated wire at a predetermined distance beyond said clip terminal after said insulated wire is inserted into said clip terminal, said cutting means being movable relative to said pusher means and movable in the same direction as said pusher means to cut the insulated wire after the pusher means has completely inserted the wire into said slot.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are provided two adjacent clip terminals secured to an insulated support terminal strip, said notch and said slot of each of said two clip terminals being substantially in alignment with one another to receive a single length of straight insulated wire therein.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said applicator tool means includes a second pusher means displaced from said first pusher means in a directIon substantially along the axis of a straight length of insulated wire to be inserted into the two adjacent clip terminals, said cutter means being located intermediate said first and second pusher means to cut through the insulated wire and separate the same to form a separate wire connection for each of said two adjacent clip terminals.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cutter means includes a pair of spaced apart knife members movable toward said insulated support terminal strip to cut through the insulated wire and remove a relatively small length of the insulated wire from between said two clip terminals to insure that subsequent electrical connection between the severed conductor wire portions is prevented.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein said two clip terminals are secured to said insulated support terminal strip with said resilient arms thereof extending outwardly from a common wall of said terminal strip to provide access to said notches and said slots of a single length of conductive wire, and wherein said spaced apart knife members are arranged to cooperate with said common wall of said terminal strip to sever the insulated wire when the cutter means is operated at the end of travel of said first and second pusher means.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein a plurality of clip terminals are secured to said insulated support terminal strip and arranged to form at least two parallel rows of clip terminals, the clip terminals of one row being in substantially transverse alignment with the clip terminal of the other row to allow a single length of insulated wire to be inserted into corresponding paired terminals prior to severing the insulated wire between such paired terminals.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, further including spring means coupled to said cutting means for providing a resistance to said cutting means to insure that said pushers insert the insulated wire completely into said slot prior to actuation of said cutter means.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said clip terminals each have a bent resilient contact end portion opposite the end having the notch and slot formed therein, said bent resilient contact end portion cooperating with said insulated support terminal to form means for connection to a contact strip formed along the terminating edge of a printed circuit board.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said clip terminals has said bent resilient contact end portion thereof formed of physically spaced apart but electrically common contact portions.
 10. The combination of a clip terminal of the type having two resilient arms separated by a notch at an end thereof and by a slot having adjacent edges and communicating with one end of said notch, the region of junction of the slot and the notch having means for removing insulation from an insulated conductor that is moved from the notch into the slot to make electrical contact between the clip terminal and the conductor, and applicator tool means having pusher means extending from one end thereof and engaging the insulated conductor for pushing the wire into said slot, said applicator tool means further including cutter means spaced from said pusher means to cut the insulated conductor at a predetermined distance beyond said clip terminal after said insulated conductor is inserted into said clip terminal, said cutting means being movable relative to said pusher means and movable in the same direction as said pusher means to cut the insulated conductor after the pusher means has completely inserted the conductor into said slot.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein there are two adjacent clip terminals secured to an insulated support, said notch and said slot of each of said two clip terminals being substantially in alignment with one another to receive a length of conductor, and said cutter means being located to cut through the insulated wire Between the terminals to form a separate connection for each terminal.
 12. The combination of adjacent clip terminals each of the type with a pair of resilient arms separated by a space for receiving an insulated conductor, and means associated with each pair of arms for stripping the insulation from an insulated conductor to make electrical contact between the terminal and the conductor as the insulated conductor is moved through said space and into engagement with said means, the two clips being spaced apart and secured to an insulated support and with the respective arms of the clips being aligned to receive a length of insulated conductor in said spaces, and an applicator tool having pusher means at one end engaging the insulated conductor for pushing the insulated conductor into engagement with the insulation stripping means, said tool also having cutter means movable relative to said pusher means to sever the insulated wire between the clip terminals to form a separate wire connection for each terminal.
 13. The combination according to claim 12 in which said cutter means has spaced knife members to remove a length of insulated wire from between said terminals. 